Coe vows to take hard line on athletes attempting to change national allegiance

Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, has affirmed his commitment to maintaining a firm stance on the issue of athletes switching nationality, as evidenced by his federation's recent blockage of a bid by prominent Jamaicans and Kenyans to represent Turkey.

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This decision affected notable athletes, including Roje Stona, the 2024 Olympic men's discus champion from Jamaica, and a group of five Kenyans, among them former women's marathon world record-holder Brigid Kosgei, who were all targeted by lucrative offers from Turkey.

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Coe's philosophy on the matter is straightforward: an athlete should typically begin and conclude their career in the same country, as he explained in an interview on Friday, on the eve of the World Athletics Relays event in Botswana.

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He further emphasized that national-based competitions are essential for the legitimacy and comprehension of global championships, where athletes compete under their country's banner.

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Coe acknowledged that a World Athletics panel reviews each request to switch nationality and may approve certain exceptions, such as those involving marriage or "political intolerance".

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However, Coe expressed his disapproval of Turkey's attempts to recruit elite athletes from other countries by offering them financial incentives, with the aim of bolstering its medal count at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a move that would be consistently rejected.

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Coe reiterated that switching federations solely for personal gain does not meet the criteria for approval, and his organization will maintain its tough stance on the matter.

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He also highlighted the importance of protecting government investments in athletic programs, as these funds would likely dry up if governments perceived that their investments were being channeled towards benefiting other countries.

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Letsile Tebogo, the 2024 Olympic 200 meters champion and a leading figure among Botswanan sprinters, had previously revealed that he declined offers to switch to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Tunisia, as reported in December.

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Botswana, a country with a population of 2.5 million inhabitants and a largely desert landscape, has faced economic challenges due to the decline of the global diamond market, which accounts for 30 percent of its GDP.

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Despite these economic difficulties, Botswana continues to invest in its successful athletics program, demonstrating its commitment to the sport.